Scholarships

The F. Melius Christiansen Endowment Fund offers scholarships in four categories, reaching conductors studying at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as conductors actively leading church, synagogue, school and community choirs.

I. Conductor Scholarship to Attend Summer Dialogue - deadline May 1

II. Student Member Scholarship to Attend National/Division Conference - deadline December 1

III. Graduate Study Scholarship - deadline December 1

IV. World Choral Symposium Scholarship - December 1 of the year prior to the year of the symposium


I. Conductor Scholarships to Attend Summer Dialogue
Up to $2,500 annually will fund scholarships of up to $250 each for Minnesota conductors to attend the ACDA of Minnesota Summer Dialogue, a four day event held in conjunction with the All-State Choir camps. Members of the profession have the opportunity to share, communicate, discuss and exchange ideas in a supportive and nurturing environment. Sessions are led by some of the the finest choral directors from Minnesota and the nation. Selection will be made by the FMC Endowment Fund Scholarship Subcommittee.

There are two categories for these scholarships:

1) Full scholarships for conductors with 0-2 years of experience.

2) Scholarships to cover the registration fee for conductors of any age who have never before attended Dialogue.

Undergraduate students and previous recipients of this award are not eligible. Membership in ACDA is not a requirement for eligibility.

The application must include:

• a personal resume, including complete address, phone, and e-mail.
• a description of your choral conducting experience.
• at least two programs representing the applicant’s work as a choral conductor. Student conductors may include a recommendation from a supervising conductor/instructor in lieu of programs.
• a completed registration form for ACDA of Minnesota Summer Dialogue.
• a brief description of what or who led you to pursue attendance at the ACDA of Minnesota Dialogue.

Deadline for application is May 1
Download application forms:  PDF      MS Word

Send to:
Bruce W. Becker, Executive Director
12027 Gantry Lane, Apple Valley MN 55124-6286
 

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II. Student Member Scholarship to Attend ACDA National or Division Conferences
The F. Melius Christiansen Endowment will set aside up to $5000 annually to offer scholarships of up to $1000 to Minnesota college choral conducting majors (junior or above) to attend the ACDA National Conference, $750 to a Division Conference. This scholarship pays for convention registration, shared housing, transportation costs, and meals. This is not a cash award. The FMC Endowment will reimburse recipients expenses for which receipts are submitted up to the total amount of the scholarship. Selection will be made by the FMC Endowment Fund Scholarship Subcommittee.

The application must include:

• a personal resume, including complete address, phone, and e-mail.
• a recommendation from the student’s college choral conductor.
• a completed registration form for the conference.
• a statement of how this experience might impact the applicant’s preparation as a choral conductor.

Deadline for application is December 1
Download application form  PDF           MS Word

Send to:
Bruce W. Becker, Executive Director
12027 Gantry Lane, Apple Valley MN 55124-6286
 

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III. Graduate Study Scholarships
Scholarships of up to $3000 per candidate will be awarded for full time graduate study.
Scholarships of up to $1000 per candidate will be awarded for part time graduate study.
Selection will be made by the FMC Endowment Fund Scholarship Subcommittee.

Qualifications:

• applicant must be an ACDA member choral conductor living in the state of Minnesota
• must be in pursuit of an advanced degree in a choral music program
• must have completed a minimum of two years of choral conducting in the state of Minnesota

The application must include:

• a personal resume, including complete address, phone, and e-mail information and current position.
• a description of applicant’s choral conducting experience.
• at least three programs representing the applicant’s work as a choral conductor.
• a list of participation in ACDA activities and events.
• the name of the graduate school(s) to which applicant has been accepted or is attending.
• a detailed description of the graduate degree program being pursued.

Deadline for application is December 1
Download application form:   PDF        MS Word

Send to:
Bruce W. Becker, Executive Director
12027 Gantry Lane, Apple Valley MN 55124-6286
 

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IV. World Symposium On Choral Music Scholarship
One $3000 scholarship will be awarded an ACDA of Minnesota member to attend the World Symposium on Choral Music, an event which is held every 3 years. This is not a cash award. The FMC Endowment will reimburse the recipient expenses for which receipts are submitted up to the total amount of the scholarship. Selection will be made by the FMC Endowment Fund Scholarship Subcommittee.

Qualifications:

• applicants must have a minimum of 5 years active and current membership in ACDA of Minnesota.
• recipient must attend the entire symposium.
• recipient will write an article on the symposium for the fall issue of the Star of the North.

The application must include:

• current résumé, including recommendations and contact information from three people, including at least one administrator and one colleague
• list of participation in ACDA activities and events
• list other potential sources of financial assistance

Deadline for application is December 1
(of the year prior to the symposium year)
Download application form:   PDF        MS Word

Send to:
Bruce W. Becker, Executive Director
12027 Gantry Lane, Apple Valley MN 55124-6286

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